Charm City Circulator On the Chopping Block Once Again
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Baltimore's Charm City Circulator service is once again on the chopping block as the city is proposing cuts that could start early next year.
The free service was almost eliminated last year and is again facing cuts. The Department of Transportation says it can no longer afford it.
"We looked at our budgetary constraints and we wanted to do what was practical," said Adrienne Barnes, with the Baltimore City Department of Transportation.
DOT is considering whether to eliminate the banner route that goes to the Inner Harbor and the Green Route which connects Fells Point to Johns Hopkins hospital.
It may also axe the Purple Route's Northern Extension--cancelling service to Johns Hopkins University.
That means the Purple Line will not go beyond the Penn Station stop and only the Orange Route will keep service as is.
The shuttles are meant to reduce traffic in the busiest parts of the city, but for some commuters, free transportation, Is the only kind they can afford.
"A lot of days people do not have the money to ride the MTA and some places the MTA doesn't go that the free bus does go," said Jerome Burris.
If approved, the cuts would take effect January 2017.
According to our media partner the Baltimore Sun, the effort could save the city $6 million dollars a year.
The DOT will hold public hearings on the proposal.
The DOT says it has no plans for alternative service and recommends other public transportation.
There are no confirmed dates for the public hearings.
